The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-18

my uedtu. 90 thlS TO protect my investments anu
estate from sacrifice, and the interruption of my
business from such cause as stated.
In November previous he made g similar
statement. the object of the insurance being to
have ready money in case of DEATH so that none
OF his interests might be sacrificed. The money
was to be paid to his executors within three
months. At that time he expected nephew
over from England, who would be given an in
terest in the business
Mr.. Lawton owned about 600 acres Of land
near Rldgehed n j., known as Delta, which
he valued at $40O, ,000 but which cost him $97.-
OO0: he also owned house at Spuyten Duyvel,
n. T.; had property at Chelsea, Mass, and was
interested In gas companies at Atlanta and
Macon. Ga
At the Office Of R. g. Dun & Co., the news Of
the absconding of Lawton, as one of the officers
expressed 1t. was like thunderbolt The firm
rated as good, and the agency never had the
slightest intmation thattrouble was to be feared.
The superintendent of the Produce Exchange
received communication from the firm OF Law
ton Brothers, who have an Office in the Ex-
change Building, asking him to telegraph the
excnanges at st. Louis, New Orleans, Philade-
phia, Boston and Baltimore, and notify them
that 1t was not their firm that had suspended.
The request was complied with
At the American Exchange Bank, the cashier
said that Lawton had small balance there,
which he had not drawn. But the bank also had
S5oO OF business paper with his Endorsements
Part OF this was notes OF the Chemical company.
900 of notes with Lawtons Endorsement
The President of the Fourth National Bank
SAID that Lawton had a small account there.
and got his discounts by that means. The bank
holds notes indorsed by Lawton aggregating
$l6,777 for which they claim to have ample
security
AT the Third National Bank the cashier said
they held none of Lawton's own paper, but held
some OF his indorsements, for which the bank
was secured. Lawton had drawn his cash bal
ance from the bank
The Commercial National Bank has S. 100 of
paper with Lawton Brothers Endorsement, and
some collateral. This bank has levied an at
tachment on Lawton's property.
Iawton negotiated his paper through the note
brokerage firm of Titus. Mead & Co., 81 Wall
street, who has out less than 800. 600 of
Lawton's Endorsements. Mr.. Mead says that
Lawton has also sold his paper through Potter.
Lowell d Co., of Boston, to what amount he
could not say, and also through. Dunn, of Phila
delphia Mr.. Mead added that Lawton was in his
Office on Tuesday afternoon He took some OF
his paper with him, and promised to send Mead
check for $4,000 on Wednesday morning
The check did not come and inquiries for Law
ton developed the fact that he was missing.
Mead said the total of Lawtons liabilities de-
falcation might reach $500, 600, and the cashier
of the Third National Bank said it was between
$500 900 and 100000 At the bank it was said
Lawton had raised money wherever he could
and gone Off
Mr.. King, the attorney, estimated that Law
ton got at least 5000. 900 in cash from the banks
and on discounted paper on the day of his de-
parture. He took the money away with him.
He also may have had good deal left of tn.
proceeds Of the claims. Mr.. King represents
| $350,000.
1t is known that he has obtained at least $3.50,
900 on notes from various banks Nobody could
give any intelligent statement of Lawton's finan
cial condition a whole. No examination has
yet been made of the assets, if any there be- ant
though attachments have been served on every
thing visible. including the Jersey real estate i,
| is commonly believed that he has transferre,
his interest in all praperty. His liabilities, s.
| far AS known though not yet collected in an,
! statement. are estimated at about 81 ,000, 900
| rather less than more.